Boiler installation – how long does it take?

The boiler is the beating heart of any home, ensuring that showers are running hot and your radiators are warming up on those cold winter days. With this in mind, keeping your boiler in top working order is essential in keeping you comfortable. Unfortunately, there can come a time where we need to install a newer model, a process which has the infamous label of being an expensive and laborious task to carry out. Indeed, it’s never going to be a fun experience swapping out your boiler, but the process itself isn’t as complex as you might think and with a professional heating engineer, a process that can be extremely stressful can end up being relatively easy.

With this in mind, the team at West London Gas have put together a handy guide for those of us despairing over boiler installation and demystifying the process.

Why might I need to replace my boiler?
Sometimes, our boilers simply give up the ghost, breaking down usually when you’re in the middle of a nice warm shower. This is of course pretty irritating and is one of the most common causes of a gas boiler replacement. However, that isn’t to say there aren’t other reasons why you may need to install a newer model for your home. If you’re using an especially old boiler, you may be finding that your heating bills are going up whilst your home is staying decidedly chilly. Older boilers are usually much less efficient than the newest models on the market, and with manufacturers finding new and innovative ways to make boilers as energy efficient as possible, you can potentially save a significant amount of money in the long term.

It might also be that your current boiler isn’t up to the job for future projects that you are planning on your home. Home extensions are a great way to create more room in your property, but if your boiler isn’t powerful enough to heat the extra space, you may need to look at installation options.

Whatever the case, getting a new gas boiler installed can have a variety of benefits in the long run so it is definitely something to consider.

Types of boilers

Although your chosen heating engineer will be able to best advise you on the type of boiler after their initial visit, it can be useful to have an understanding of the most common types of boiler being installed in the UK.

-      Conventional boiler: Coming with a hot water tank and cylinder to store hot water, it is one of the most common boiler designs in use today.

-      System boiler: Like a conventional boiler but with more heating components, system boilers actually take up less space and do not require a tank in the attic.

-      Combi boiler: Also known as combination boilers, combi’s are compact, meaning quick installation.

Of course, your choice of boiler and gas central heating will depend on a range of factors in your home. Things such as the number of radiators in your home, space in your attic and whether your home is connected to the UK gas network will determine which model is the best for you. Luckily, a professional heating engineer can give you advice on your options, ensuring you’re getting the most for your money.

The installation process
 
After your heating engineer has made the necessary checks around your home and determined which model fits best, they can start fitting your boiler as soon as possible. Sometimes, your heating system may require a power flush to clear out any excess contaminants, however, after this point, the physical process of installing a boiler is relatively quick.

Most installations will take around a day to complete if it is a straight swap (i.e combi to combi), finishing with your installer running you through the features of your purchase. Of course, if you’re swapping out an older boiler or your engineer hits a snag whilst installing your new model it may take longer. Bearing this in mind, it’s usually best to install your new boiler in the summer months so you’re not caught out in the cold without hot water.

Expenses wise, a new boiler can cost anything between £2000-£5000 to install depending on the job at hand. This is obviously a large amount of money, however, it is imperative to invest in quality when it comes to your boiler. As large pressurised machines that hold a variety of flammable and noxious gases, improper installation could put you and those you live in grave danger.

After your boiler is installed
Although your boiler is installed, there are still a few ends to tie up before the process is completely finished. As we’ve already mentioned, a boiler can be an extremely dangerous risk factor in your household so it is imperative that your engineer notifies the local council that a new gas appliance has been installed. You should also receive a Building Regulations Certificate on the completion of your boiler installation; this document states that your installation is safe and in line with building regulations and therefore it is imperative to have this and to keep it safe. If you don’t receive this document, check with your engineer.

After all the paperwork is squared away, you’ll most likely have a warranty on your unit in case of a breakdown. The length of the guarantee depends on the company you decide to work with, however, some of the more reputable heating companies can offer warranties of up to 10 years, giving you peace of mind when it comes to your heating system. It’s useful to bear in mind though, that to stop the warranty from being voided, you must have your unit serviced at least once a year, so make sure you have a quality engineer on hand to ensure your boiler is ticking over.

What to look out for in a heating engineer
When it comes to having your boiler installed, hiring a professional in the industry can make the difference between a smooth, easy process and one fraught with difficulties. With this in mind, picking the right person for the job is imperative so here are some tips on picking an expert:

-       Are they qualified: First things first, it’s absolutely essential that your chosen boiler installer has the necessary qualifications and experience to competently carry out the installation. The Gas Safe Register lists engineers who are legally allowed to carry out any work on gas appliances. Therefore, it’s imperative you check they have a gas safety certificate and Gas Safe card to hand.

-      Ask for a recommendation: sometimes, a recommendation from a friend or family member can help to give you an idea of the quality of an engineer so spend some time asking around.

-      Use trusted directories: Websites such as Feefo, Which?, and Yell can be a great way to see what others think of an engineer’s work quality. 

Make your boiler and central heating installation easy with West London Gas

Although installing a new boiler isn’t an ideal circumstance to be in, getting it sorted by a professional can make the process infinitely easier. Here at West London Gas, we have been supplying the people of West London with cutting-edge boilers, saving our customers upwards of 40% on their heating bills annually. And, with our 10-year warranty on a range of our products, we’ll be on hand to help if your boiler breaks down.

Aside from our installation services, our expert team of heating engineers are here to help with a variety of home heating issues, from central heating breakdowns to gas servicing, meaning you’re in the best hands.

For more information on how we can help you, visit our website or get in touch with a member of the team on 020 8434 3644 to receive a free estimate.